Rabbiteye blueberry plant named &#39;T-460&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new variety ‘T-460’ ripens around mid June in southern Georgia and early July in middle Georgia. The fruit of the new variety ‘T-460’ are large, with good scar and very good color. The new variety ‘T-460’ is moderately vigorous with an estimated chilling requirement of about 500 to 550 hours at or below approximately 7° C. The asexually reproduced variety is reliably propagated vegetatively.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH

This invention was made, in part, with U.S. Government support on behalf of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hatch Act Grant No. GEO 01663. The U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: ‘T-460’ is a rabbiteye blueberry plant that is a Vaccinium ashei.

Variety denomination: The new rabbiteye blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘T-460’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery of a new and distinct cultivar of rabbiteye blueberry plant botanically known as a Vaccinium ashei and herein referred to as ‘T-460’, as herein described and illustrated.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘T-460’ was selected at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. in the mid 1980's. The new variety ‘T-460’ ripens around mid June in southern Georgia. The fruit of the new variety ‘T-460’ are large with good scar and very good color. The new variety ‘T-460’ has demonstrated self-fruitfulness and is moderately vigorous with an estimated chilling requirement of about 500-550 hours at or below 7° C.

Pedigree and history: ‘T-460’ was selected in the mid 1980's at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga., originating from a cross of ‘T-223’×‘T-258’. Both parent ‘T-223’ and parent ‘T-258’ are non-patented breeding lines. The selection was first asexually propagated by softwood cuttings at a research location in Tifton, Ga. in the 1980's. Subsequently, in the late 1990's, the new variety was asexually propagated by softwood cuttings at that time in Griffin, Ga. The new variety was tested in plantings at UGA Blueberry Research Farms in Alapaha and Griffin, Ga. in the late 1990's. The selection was planted in ornamental trials at the Alapaha and Griffin, Ga. locations in 2011.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new blueberry plant variety ‘T-460’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed in the original plant and asexually propagated plants of the new variety, propagated by softwood cuttings and growing in Alapaha and Griffin Ga., and are determined to be the unique firmly fixed combinations of characteristics of the new blueberry plant variety ‘T-460’:

1. Very good color;

2. Good scar;

3. Large berry size;

4. Self-fruitfulness.

The new variety ‘T-460’ can be compared to the rabbiteye blueberry varieties ‘Alapaha’ (the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,266) and ‘Vernon’ (the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,291).

Comparison: The selection flowers and ripens after ‘Alapaha’ and ‘Vernon’ in the mid Georgia rabbiteye season. ‘T-460’ has large berries with good scar and very good color as compared to the standards ‘Alapaha’ and ‘Vernon’ in Alapaha and Griffin, Ga. over a 2-year period. ‘T-460’ has comparable berry firmness to ‘Vernon’ and larger berry size than ‘Alapaha’ (Tables 1 and 2). ‘T-460’ is moderately vigorous and aesthetically appealing. The parents ‘T-223’ and T-258’ no longer exist and thus are not available for comparison. Data from years ago suggests that ‘T-460’ has a larger berry size than both parents.

Major attractions of ‘T-460’ are its ornamental appeal and suitability for home gardeners. Preliminary studies suggest that ‘T-460’ has considerable self-fruitfulness not demonstrated by previous rabbiteye varieties.

TABLE 1 2-year average ratings of some fruit and plant characteristics of ‘T-460’ and rabbiteye standard cultivars ‘Alapaha’ and ‘Vernon’ from 2013- 2014 in field test plots at Alapaha, GA. Rating scales are based on a 1 to 10 score, with 1 being the least desirable and 10 being the most desirable. A value of 6-7 is generally considered to be the minimum acceptable rating for a commercial cultivar. These plants were established in 2011. Berry and plant Alapaha location attributes ‘Alapaha’ ‘Vernon’ ‘T-460’ Berry size 6.3 8.0 8.3 Berry scar 7.0 7.0 7.3 Berry color 6.8 7.0 8.0 Berry firmness 7.0 7.5 7.5 Berry flavor 7.3 7.5 7.0 Cropping 6.0 5.0 6.0 Plant vigor 8.5 9.5 7.8 Date of 50% flowering March 24 March 20 March 23 Date of 50% ripening June 12 June 10 June 17 Fruit development 80 82 86 period (days)

TABLE 2 2-year average ratings of some fruit and plant characteristics of ‘T-460’ and rabbiteye standard cultivars ‘Alapaha’ and ‘Vernon’ (2013- 2014) in field test plots at Griffin, GA. Rating scales are based on a 1 to 10 score, with 1 being the least desirable and 10 being the most desirable. A value of 6-7 is generally considered to be the minimum acceptable rating for a commercial cultivar. These plants were established in 2011. Berry and plant Griffin location attributes ‘Alapaha’ ‘Vernon’ ‘T-460’ Berry size 6.5 8.3 8.4 Berry scar 7.0 7.3 7.3 Berry color 7.0 7.3 8.3 Berry firmness 6.8 7.5 7.8 Berry flavor 7.0 7.3 7.1 Cropping 6.0 6.0 7.3 Plant vigor 7.0 8.5 7.8 Date of 50% flowering April 3 April 4 April 6 Date of 50% ripening June 19 June 23 July 6 Fruit development 77 80 91 period (days)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying photographic illustrations show typical specimens in full color of the foliage, flowering, and fruit of the new variety ‘T-460’. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘T-460’ during flowering in Griffin, Ga.

FIG. 2 is a close up photograph of the new variety ‘T-460’ during flowering in Griffin, Ga.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of new variety ‘T-460’ during fruit ripening in Griffin, Ga.

FIG. 4 is a close up photograph of the new variety ‘T-460’ fruit clusters.

FIG. 5 is a close up photograph of typical fruit of the new variety ‘T-460’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon the R.H.S. Colour Chart, 5^(th) edition published by the Royal Horticultural Society, London, England.

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomological characteristics of the new variety ‘T-460’. Where dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The descriptions reported herein are largely from observations of specimen plants grown in Alapaha and Griffin, Ga., with supplemental irrigation. The observed plants were about 3 to about 4 years old.

-   Plant:     -   -   Size.—1.2 to 1.4 m tall by about 4 years of age. The plant             crown, or base, is narrow, typically 20 to 30 cm in             diameter. The upper portion of plant canopy exceeds 1.3 to             1.5 m in diameter by 4 years.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-spreading, with 2 to 3 main canes arising             from the crown, and multiple branching of shoots (2 to 3 per             cane) from those canes at 10 cm or less above the soil             surface.         -   Growth.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Productivity.—Medium to high crop and yield, averaging 5 to             8 lbs of fruit per plant each year for plants 4 years and             older grown under well-fertilized and irrigated field             conditions.         -   Hardiness.—Similar to other rabbiteye cultivars such as             ‘Alapaha’ and ‘Vernon’.         -   Chilling requirement.—500-550 hours of temperatures at or             below 7° C. (about 45° F.) to induce normal leafing and             flowering during the spring under conventional production             systems.         -   Leafing.—Plants tend to break sufficient leaf buds shortly             after anthesis.         -   Canes.—Diameter: 25 to 40 mm for base of main canes that are             about 4 years old and older; 20-25 mm first major branch             diameter; 15 to 20 mm in 2 year old wood; 5 to 10 mm in             current season wood. Color: Near Greyed-Green RHS 197C for             base of canes that are about 4 years old and older; near             Greyed-Brown 199C to Greyed-Green 197C for first major             branch. Brown RHS 200D transitioning to Greyed-Brown RHS             199C in about 2 year old wood. Green 138D to Yellow-Green             RHS 145C in current season wood.         -   Fruiting wood.—Numerous twigs 15 to 20 cm in length, with             internode lengths of 10-15 mm common.         -   Disease resistance.—No exceptional disease resistance or             susceptibility observed; typical for rabbiteye ‘Alapaha’ and             ‘Vernon’. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf color.—Healthy mature leaves. Top side: Green RHS             N137D. Under side: Green RHS N138C.         -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate, simple.         -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.         -   Leaf surface.—Highly glaucous.         -   Leaf margins.—Crenate, smooth.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnate, slightly reticulated.         -   Leaf apices.—Narrowly acute.         -   Leaf bases.—Cuneate.         -   Leaf dimensions.—Length: 55.0 to 65.0 mm Width: 20.0 to 25.0             mm.         -   Petioles.—Small. Length: 2.5 to 3.5 mm. Width: 1.0 to             1.5 mm. Color: Yellow-Green RHS 145C. -   Flowers:     -   -   Date of 50% anthesis.—March 23 in southeast Georgia and             April 6 in middle Georgia (2-year average).         -   Flower shape.—Urceolate.         -   Flower bud number.—Medium to high, averaging 4 to 6 buds per             fruiting shoot.         -   Flowers per cluster.—5 to 8 common.         -   Flower fragrance.—None.         -   Corolla.—Color: White RHS NN155C to White 155D (open             flower). Red-Purple 62B blush often observed in corollas             prior to opening. Length: 8.5 to 10.0 mm. Width: 4.5 to             5.5 mm. Aperture width: 1.5 to 3.0 mm.         -   Flower peduncle.—Length: 15.0 to 20.0 mm. Color:             Yellow-Green RHS 145B to Green RHS 138C.         -   Flower pedicle.—Length: 4.5 to 6.0 mm. Color: Green RHS             138C.         -   Calyx (with sepals).—Diameter: 5.0 to 6.0 mm. Color: Green             RHS 138C.         -   Stamen.—Length: 7.0 to 8.0 mm. Number per flower: 10.             Filament color: Green-White RHS 157B.         -   Style.—Length: 8.0 to 10.0 nun. Color: Yellow-Green RHS             145C.         -   Pistil.—Length: 10.0 to 12.0 mm. Ovary color (exterior):             Green RHS 138C.         -   Anther.—Length: 4.0 to 4.8 mm. Number: 10. Color:             Greyed-Orange RHS 164A.         -   Pollen.—Abundance: Medium. Color: Yellow-White RHS 158C.         -   Self-compatibility.—The cultivar has a moderate degree of             self-compatibility. -   Fruit:     -   -   Date of 50% maturity.—June 17 in southeast Georgia and July             6 in middle Georgia (2 year average).         -   Fruit development period.—85 to 95 days.         -   Berry color.—With wax: Violet-Blue RHS 98D to Blue 101C.             With wax removed: Black RHS 202A.         -   Berry surface wax abundance.—Very high.         -   Berry flesh color.—Greyed-Green RHS 196D.         -   Berry weight.—First harvest: 2.2 g to 3.2 g. Second harvest:             1.6 g to 2.0 g.         -   Berry size.—Height from calyx to scar: 14.0 to 17.0 mm.             Diameter: 16.0 to 20.0 mm.         -   Berry shape.—Spherical.         -   Fruit stem scar.—Small, very dry, no tearing at harvest.         -   Calyx.—depth 1.0 to 2.5 mm; width 3.0 to 5.0 mm; sepals not             highly visible, inward and flat when present.         -   Berry firmness.—Very firm.         -   Berry flavor and texture.—Very sweet, mildly acidic flavor,             semi smooth texture.         -   Storage quality.—Very good.         -   Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Not likely suitable.         -   Uses.—Intended for home gardens and/or ornamental uses. -   Seed:     -   -   Seed abundance in fruit.—Medium to high, with 15 to 20 fully             developed seeds per berry.         -   Seed color.—Greyed-Orange RHS 164A to 165B.         -   Seed dry weight.—47.6 mg per 100 seeds.         -   Seed size.—1.4 to 2.0 mm long; 0.4 to 0.7 mm wide for fully             developed seeds. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rabbiteye blueberry plant named ‘T-460’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 